Coast Guard Suspends Search After Distress Call

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for two possibly missing sailors who reported that their 24-foot pleasure craft was taking on water off the coast of Gloucester.

The Coast Guard ended the search Friday afternoon after crews searched 712 square miles for 14 hours without locating the boat or the two people. Commanders called off the search because there have been no reports of missing boaters or information to help narrow a search area.

The search began after the Coast Guard received a Mayday call just after 10 p.m. on Thursday saying the boat was taking on water roughly 20 to 40 minutes outside Gloucester Harbor.

Before losing contact, the caller said both boaters were putting on life jackets.

Nearly 70 Coast Guard boat crews, aircrews and other personnel participated in the search.